A satirical 1849 lithograph by Honoré Daumier from the Les Banqueteurs series, depicting two men caught in a rising tide.

This lithograph is part of the series titled Les Banqueteurs, published in the French periodical Le Charivari in 1849. Honoré Daumier, a master of social and political commentary, depicts two men caught in a perilous situation by the sea. The title, translated as 'What a stupid idea we had to come and watch the tide come in!', captures the absurdity of their predicament as they struggle against the rising water. One figure clings desperately to a piece of driftwood, while the other is partially submerged, his expression one of frantic realisation.

Daumier employs his characteristic expressive line work to convey the chaotic energy of the scene. The wind whips through the figures' clothing and hair, while the turbulent water is rendered with rapid, energetic strokes. The composition focuses on the physical comedy of the men's misfortune, a hallmark of Daumier's approach to caricature. By placing the figures in a vulnerable, natural environment, he mocks the bourgeois tendency to engage in activities without considering the practical consequences.

As a printmaker, Daumier utilised the lithographic process to reach a wide audience, providing sharp observations on contemporary life in nineteenth-century France. This work demonstrates his ability to blend humour with a keen eye for human folly. The stark black and white contrast of the lithograph emphasises the dramatic movement of the waves and the frantic gestures of the subjects. It remains a clear example of his skill in capturing fleeting moments of human error through a satirical lens.